CASARES, Spain — We’re just a day away from the upcoming matches and a bit of Solheim Cup history has already been made this year.
The Europeans are primed to win a third consecutive Solheim Cup as the 2023 matches head to Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Spain, but a stout American lineup stands in the way.
Leading the United States will be 38-year-old Stacy Lewis, who set the mark as the youngest U.S. captain. Patty Sheehan had the previous record of 45 years old in 2002. The youngest-ever captain? That’d be Europe’s 2003 leader, Catrin Nilsmark, at 36 years, 13 days.
Dating back to the inaugural event in 1990, the Solheim Cup has been contested 17 times around the world. From Colorado to Germany, Florida to Scotland, a total of 444 matches have been played, and the U.S. holds a slight advantage. The Americans have won 196 matches to Europe’s 181 wins, with 67 matches tied. That means the two sides are separated by just 15 points all-time: U.S.: 229½ points; Europe: 214½.
| Team | Overall | Singles | Foursomes | Fourballs |
| U.S. wins | 196 | 97 | 49 | 50 |
| Europe wins | 181 | 71 | 59 | 51 |
| Ties | 67 | 28 | 17 | 22 |
| Total | 444 | 196 | 125 | 123 |
The U.S. has dominated singles (97-71-28), but has a losing record in both foursomes (49-59-27) and fourball (50-51-22).
If you’re a fan of fun facts and figures, take a deeper look at the history of the Solheim Cup.
1994: Laura Davies holds the Solheim Cup trophy. (Photo: Steve Munday/ALLSPORT)
You can’t tell the history of golf without highlighting the career of Dame Laura Davies. A Solheim Cup legend, Davies made 12 appearances for Team Europe from the inaugural event in 1990 to her final as a player in 2011. The Englishwoman earned a 22-18-6 record to hold the mark for 25 points won.
Davies made her debut as a non-playing assistant captain at the age of 55 in 2019 on Catriona Matthew’s staff and returned in the same position in 2021.
Juli Inkster of the USA jumps for joy after sinking a birdie putt during the afternoon’s fourball in the 1998 Solheim Cup between Europe v USA played at Muirfield Village, Dublin, Ohio, USA. (Photo: Craig Jones/Allsport)
Singles points won: 7
Juli Inkster has been an important figure for the U.S. side over the years and boasts an impressive 6-1-2 record in singles play. Her lone loss came to Helen Alfredsson, 2 and 1, in the 1998 matches won by the U.S., 16-12.
Foursomes points won: 11½
Annika Sorenstam racked up 11½ of her 24 points in foursomes…
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